How to set a timer on a boiler.

Combi boilers don’t need you to set a timer for your hot water, as they heat it on demand already. However, your boiler is still programmable to manage when your central heating comes on.

To learn how to set a central heating timer on a combi boiler, check if it has digital or mechanical heating controls and follow the instructions above.

If you notice your boiler is still on after your timer has finished it may be because you have a combi boiler. As combis heat water on demand they will turn on whenever you use your hot water, even outside of your programmed schedule. Some combi boilers also have a small reservoir of preheated water to reduce the delay when you turn on your taps - to keep this hot they may turn on briefly throughout the day.

If you do not have a combi, or notice your boiler is turning on for prolonged periods when you are not running hot water, you may have a fault with your boiler. Get a professional heating engineer to check your boiler system. If you have Homeserve boiler cover they will cover boiler repairs, including the heating controls. Learn more about boiler replacement.

On a digital display, setting a boiler timer can be done for both your heating and hot water. They are each programmed the same way, so simply choose which you would like to set up in the menu before you start. 

If you have a mechanical timer (with a clock dial) you cannot set separate schedules for them - instead ensure you switch the pins in for any time you want either your heating or hot water to be on.

Your central heating controls include the programmer on your boiler along with your room thermostat. Generally, you cannot adjust your home's temperature through the heating timer on your boiler's programmer. Instead, to change the temperature of your central heating, you will need to use your thermostat, which determines how warm your home will be when the heating is on.

If you would like the convenience of having your boiler controls all in one place, you may benefit from a smart thermostat. Manage your home heating with precision even when you're on the go, simply download the companion app for your thermostat and enjoy a smarter home heating system. Find out if a smart thermostat could be right for you.

If you have installed, or are interested in installing, a new energy efficient Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler from our range you can use its built-in display to manage your energy use for even more efficient home heating. To set your Worcester Bosch timer, simply follow the instructions above for a digital timer or you can check the instruction manual for your boiler model.